JP4911043B2 - Cleaning method for compounding equipment for optical materials - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for washing easily the liquid contact surface of a preparation apparatus for an optical material composition. <P>SOLUTION: The washing method is such that a little quantity of a washing liquid permits easy washing of an optical material composition out of a liquid contact surface in a preparation apparatus for an optical material composition, by carrying out a lining or a coating on a liquid contact surface of the preparation apparatus with a fluororesin, and by spraying a washing liquid, which contains one or more kinds of compounds having one or more mercapto groups per molecule and has the sum total concentration thereof 1 to 100 wt.%, on the liquid contact surface of the preparation apparatus by using a rotary-type nozzle, and thereafter by spraying similarly an organic solvent having a boiling point of 30 to 80&deg;C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning method for an optical product such as a plastic lens, a prism, an optical fiber, an information recording base, a filter, and an adhesive, and in particular, a plastic lens manufacturing apparatus for spectacles.

In recent years, plastic materials are widely used for various optical materials, particularly eyeglass lenses, because they are light and tough and easy to dye. The main performance that is most required for optical materials, especially spectacle lenses, is a high refractive index, and the lens can be thinned by increasing the refractive index. In recent years, optical materials using inorganic compounds having sulfur atoms and / or selenium atoms for the purpose of increasing the refractive index have been reported (Patent Documents 1 to 3). There is no disclosure.

Japanese Patent No. 3562579 Japanese Patent No. 3738817 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-137482

  These optical material compositions are often thermosetting, and if the previously prepared composition remains when cleaning the equipment used for this preparation, the composition gradually cures. In some cases, it may be fixed to the apparatus and difficult to remove. When the liquid contact surface is not lined or coated, the optical material composition tends to adhere to the liquid contact surface, and the remaining composition cannot be sufficiently removed by a known cleaning method.

  In general, when cleaning equipment used to prepare thermosetting optical material compositions, commercially available cleaning agents or ordinary organic solvents are used, and physical wiping may be used in combination. However, in order to clean all wetted surfaces, a large amount of cleaning agent or organic solvent is often required, and when physical wiping is performed, there are many aspects in terms of work environment and time. There is a problem. In addition, when these conventional methods are used for cleaning, the cleaning residue often remains in the apparatus, and in the next preparation of the composition for optical materials, abnormalities and the presence of foreign substances may be observed in the composition.

The inventor conducted intensive research to solve the problems of the present invention,
(A) a compound represented by the following formula (1):
(B) a sulfur atom;
(C) In an apparatus for preparing a composition for an optical material comprising a compound having one or more mercapto groups per molecule, a lining or a coating is applied to the liquid contact surface of the preparation apparatus, and from a rotary nozzle installed in the preparation apparatus By spraying the cleaning liquid and the rinsing liquid, a new fact that it can be easily cleaned with a small amount of cleaning liquid has been found and has been solved.

That is, the present invention is as follows.
1. In an apparatus for preparing an optical material composition comprising (a) a compound represented by formula (1), (b) a sulfur atom, and (c) a compound having at least one mercapto group per molecule. A cleaning method for a composition preparation device for optical materials, wherein the liquid contact surface of the device is lined or coated, and the cleaning liquid and the rinse liquid are sprayed from a rotary nozzle installed in the preparation device.
2. 2. The method for cleaning an optical material composition preparing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contacting surface of the compounding apparatus is coated or coated with a fluororesin.
3. 2. The composition for optical materials according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid contains one or more compounds having one or more mercapto groups per molecule, and the total concentration is 1 wt% to 100 wt%. Method of cleaning the compounding device.
4). The rinsing liquid is an organic solvent having a boiling point of 30 ° C to 80 ° C, and the method for cleaning the wetted surface of the optical material blending device according to claim 1.

Using a blending device with a lining or coating on the wetted surface,
(A) a compound represented by the formula (1);
(B) a sulfur atom;
(C) After preparing a composition for an optical material comprising a compound having one or more mercapto groups per molecule, a rotary nozzle is connected to the compounding device, and one compound having one or more mercapto groups per molecule is prepared. The composition for optical materials remaining on the wetted surface can be easily obtained with a small amount of cleaning liquid by spraying the wetted liquid on the wetted surface with a cleaning solution containing at least one kind and having a total concentration of 1 to 100% by weight. Can be removed. Thereafter, the cleaning liquid can be easily removed with a small amount of the rinsing liquid by spraying the rinsing liquid in the same manner.

  The matrix of the blending device used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably made of a metal such as stainless steel (SUS) for reasons such as durability.

  The material used for the lining or coating of the wetted surface of the preparation device used in the present invention is preferably a fluororesin. Specifically, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-6 Examples thereof include a fluorinated propylene copolymer (FEP), an ethylene / tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), and an ethylene / chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE). These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. More preferred are PFA, PTFE, FEP, and ETFE, and still more preferred are PFA and PTFE.

  The cleaning liquid used in the present invention is preferably a compound containing one or more mercapto groups per molecule. Specifically, methyl mercaptan, ethyl mercaptan, n-propyl mercaptan, n-butyl mercaptan, allyl mercaptan, n-hexyl mercaptan, n-octyl mercaptan, n-decyl mercaptan, n-dodecyl mercaptan, n-tetradecyl mercaptan, n-hexadecyl mercaptan, n-octadecyl mercaptan, cyclohexyl mercaptan, i-propyl mercaptan, t-butyl mercaptan, t-nonyl mercaptan, t-dodecyl mercaptan, phenyl mercaptan, benzyl mercaptan, 3-methylphenyl mercaptan, 4-methylphenyl Mercaptan, 4-chlorobenzyl mercaptan, 4-vinylbenzyl mercaptan, 3-vinylbenzyl mercaptan, methyl mercaptopro Onate, 2-mercaptoethanol, 3-mercapto-1,2-propanediol, 2-mercapto-1,3-propanediol, mercaptoacetic acid, mercaptoglycolic acid, mercaptopropionic acid, methanedithiol, 1,2-dimercaptoethane 1,2-dimercaptopropane, 2,2-dimercaptopropane, 1,4-dimercaptobutane, 1,6-dimercaptohexane, bis (mercaptomethyl) ether, bis (2-mercaptoethyl) ether, bis (Mercaptomethyl) sulfide, bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide, bis (1,2-dimercaptoethyl) sulfide, bis (2,3-dimercaptopropyl) sulfide, 1,2-bis (2-mercaptoethyloxy) Ethane, 1,2-bis (2-merca) Toethylthio) -1,3-dimercaptopropane, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol, 1,2,3-trimercaptopropane, 2-mercaptomethyl-1,3-dimercaptopropane, 2-mercaptomethyl-1 , 4-dimercaptobutane, 2- (2-mercaptoethylthio) -1,3-dimercaptopropane, 4-mercaptomethyl-1,8-dimercapto-3,6-dithiaoctane, 2,4-dimercaptomethyl- 1,5-dimercapto-3-thiapentane, 4,8-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, 4,7-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3, 6,9-trithiaundecane, 5,7-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiau Ndecane, 1,2,7-trimercapto-4,6-dithiaheptane, 1,2,9-trimercapto-4,6,8-trithianonane, 1,2,10,11-tetramercapto-4,6,8 -Trithiaundecane, 1,2,12,13-tetramercapto-4,6,8,10-tetrathiatridecane, 1,1,1-tris (mercaptomethyl) propane, tetrakis (mercaptomethyl) methane, ethylene Glycol bis (2-mercaptoacetate), ethylene glycol bis (3-mercaptopropionate), diethylene glycol bis (2-mercaptoacetate), diethylene glycol bis (3-mercaptopropionate), 1,4-butanediol bis (2 -Mercaptoacetate), 1,4-butanediol bis (3-merca Topropionate), trimethylolpropane tris (2-mercaptoacetate), trimethylolpropane tris (3-mercaptopropionate), pentaerythritol tetrakis (2-mercaptoacetate), pentaerythritol tetrakis (3-mercaptopropionate), 1 , 2-dimercaptocyclohexane, 1,3-dimercaptocyclohexane, 1,4-dimercaptocyclohexane, 1,3-bis (mercaptomethyl) cyclohexane, 1,4-bis (mercaptomethyl) cyclohexane, 2,5-bis (Mercaptomethyl) -1,4-dithian, 2,5-bis (2-mercaptoethylthiomethyl) -1,4-dithiane, 2,5-bis (mercaptomethyl) -1-thiane, 2,5-bis (Mercaptoethyl) 1-thiane, 2,5-bis (mercaptomethyl) -thiophene, 1,2-dimercaptobenzene, 1,3-dimercaptobenzene, 1,4-dimercaptobenzene, 1,3-bis (mercaptomethyl) benzene 1,4-bis (mercaptomethyl) benzene, 2,2'-dimercaptobiphenyl, 4,4'-dimercaptobiphenyl, bis (4-mercaptophenyl) methane, 2,2-bis (4-mercaptophenyl) Propane, bis (4-mercaptophenyl) ether, bis (4-mercaptophenyl) sulfide, bis (4-mercaptophenyl) sulfone, bis (4-mercaptomethylphenyl) methane, bis (4-mercaptomethylphenyl) propane, bis (4-mercaptomethylphenyl) ether, bis (4-mercaptome Tilphenyl) sulfide, 4-hydroxythiophenol, mercaptobenzoic acid and the like. These mercaptans may be used alone or in admixture of two or more. Among the mercaptans, preferred are bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide, 1,2-ethanedithiol, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, and bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide, and more preferably a mercapto group of 1 Mercapto compounds having two or more molecules per molecule, specifically, bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide, 1,2-ethanedithiol, and bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide.

  The preferred concentration of the compound containing one or more mercapto groups per molecule contained in the cleaning solution used in the present invention is 1% by weight to 100% by weight, more preferably 10% by weight to 100% by weight. A known organic solvent can be used as the diluent.

  The rinsing liquid used in the present invention includes any organic solvent that can be used for the purpose of removing the cleaning liquid and easily removing it until the next batch operation. A solvent can be preferably used. Specifically, ethers, ketones, alcohols, esters, hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, and the like, more preferably tetrahydrofuran (boiling point 66.0 ° C.), dichloromethane ( Boiling point 40.0 ° C.) and chloroform (boiling point 61.8 ° C.). These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  In addition, a known additive such as a surfactant, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, and a rust inhibitor may be mixed and used as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired.

  The rotary nozzle used in the present invention is attached to a location where the liquid contact surface of the inner wall of the reaction tank and the stirring blade can be effectively cleaned and the rotation of the stirring blade is not hindered. The driving method of the rotary nozzle used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and specifically, a fixed type, a lifting type, a hydraulic two-dimensional rotary type, a hydraulic three-dimensional rotary type, a motor drive two-dimensional rotary type, and a motor A drive three-dimensional rotation type etc. are mentioned.

The optical material composition to be cleaned in the present invention is
(A) a compound represented by the formula (1);
(B) a sulfur atom;
(C) A composition for optical materials comprising a compound having at least one mercapto group per molecule.

  Specific examples of the compound (a) include bis (β-epithiopropyl) sulfide, bis (β-epithiopropyl) disulfide, bis (β-epithiopropyl) trisulfide, and bis (β-epithiopropylthio). Methane, 1,2-bis (β-epithiopropylthio) ethane, 1,3- (β-epithiopropylthio) propane, 1,4- (β-epithiopropylthio) butane, bis (β-epi And episulfides such as (thiopropylthioethyl) sulfide. (A) The compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. More preferably, it is bis (β-epithiopropyl) sulfide.

  The method for cleaning the wetted surface after preparing the composition for optical materials using a blending device with a lining or coating on the wetted surface is to connect a rotary nozzle to the blending device and place a mercapto group on the rotary nozzle. It is carried out by supplying a cleaning liquid containing one or more compounds having one or more per molecule, the total concentration of which is 1% by weight to 100% by weight, and spraying the cleaning liquid onto the wetted surface. If necessary, simultaneous stirring, vibration, ultrasonic irradiation, air bubbling, etc. may be used. The temperature at the time of washing may be room temperature, under heating, or under cooling, but is usually in the range of −10 ° C. to 80 ° C., more preferably in the range of 10 ° C. to 40 ° C.

  Rinsing of the liquid contact surface of the blending apparatus after completion of the cleaning is performed by supplying the organic solvent described above as a rinse liquid to the rotating nozzle and spraying the liquid contact surface. If necessary, simultaneous stirring, vibration, ultrasonic irradiation, air bubbling, etc. may be used. The temperature at the time of washing may be room temperature, under heating, or under cooling, but is usually in the range of −10 ° C. to 80 ° C., more preferably in the range of 10 ° C. to 40 ° C.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  The appearance of the wetted surface of the blending device after cleaning is A when there is no deposit, B when there is very little deposit but there is no stickiness, and C when there is apparent deposit and stickiness. The same appearance as before and not washed at all was evaluated as D.

Example of composition of optical material composition A 40-liter compounding device lined or coated with various fluororesins was mixed with 27 kg of bis (β-epithiopropyl) sulfide and 3 kg of sulfur, and homogenized at 60 ° C. . Subsequently, 0.150 kg of 2-methyl-N-methylimidazole was added and reacted, and then cooled to 20 ° C., and 1.6 kg of bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide and 0.007 kg of triethylbenzylammonium chloride were added to this reaction solution. Then, 0.1 kg of dibutyltin dichloride was mixed well at 20 ° C. to make it uniform. The obtained composition was reacted at 30 torr for 1 hour, and then the entire amount was extracted from the blender.

Example 1
Using a SUS304 preparation tank whose liquid contact surface was lined with a perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin (PFA), the composition for optical material was prepared as described in the preparation example of the composition for optical material. After taking out the composition from the blending device, a rotary cleaning nozzle was attached, and 1.5 liters of bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide was sprayed on the wetted surface as a cleaning liquid in an atmosphere of 20 ° C. Before spraying, a residue of the composition was found on the wetted surface, but the residue was dissolved in the detergent by this operation. Thereafter, 1.5 liters of tetrahydrofuran as a rinsing liquid was sprayed on the wetted surface in an atmosphere at 20 ° C. to confirm the appearance of the wetted surface, but no residue or stickiness was observed. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Example 2
The same operation as in Example 1 was performed except that 1.5 liters of 1,2-ethanedithiol was used as the cleaning liquid. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Example 3
The same operation as in Example 1 was performed except that 1.5 liter of 3-mercaptopropionic acid was used as the cleaning liquid. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Example 4
The same operation as in Example 1 was carried out, except that a SUS304 preparation tank having a wetted surface coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was used as the preparation apparatus. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Example 5
The same operation as in Example 1 was carried out except that 1.5 liters of a mixed solution of 10% by weight of bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide and 90% by weight of tetrahydrofuran was used as the cleaning liquid. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Example 6
The same operation as in Example 1 was performed except that 1.5 liter of dichloromethane was used as the rinse liquid. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Example 7
The same operation as in Example 1 was performed except that 1.5 liter of chloroform was used as the rinse liquid. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 1
The same operation as in Example 1 was performed except that a solid SUS304 preparation tank whose liquid contact surface was not lined was used as the preparation apparatus. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 2
Using a SUS304 preparation tank whose liquid contact surface was lined with a perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin (PFA), the composition for optical material was prepared as described in the preparation example of the composition for optical material. After taking out the composition from the blender, 1.5 liters of bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide was added as a cleaning solution, and the mixture was stirred with a stirring blade without a rotary cleaning nozzle. Most of the composition did not come into contact with the cleaning agent, and a residue was observed on the wetted surface. Thereafter, 1.5 liters of tetrahydrofuran as a rinsing liquid was sprayed on the wetted surface with a rotary cleaning nozzle attached, and a large amount of residue was observed on the wetted surface. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 3
The same operation as in Comparative Example 2 was performed except that 30 liters of bis (2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide was used as the cleaning liquid. The obtained results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Examples 4-9
The same operation as in Example 1 was repeated except that the solvent shown in Table 1 was used as a cleaning agent and a rinse solution. In general, the composition did not dissolve in these solvents, and a large amount of residue was observed on the appearance of the wetted surface. The results are summarized in Table 1.

Claims (1)

(a) a compound represented by the following formula (1):

(B) a sulfur atom;
(C) In an apparatus for preparing a composition for an optical material comprising a compound having one or more mercapto groups per molecule, a rotator provided with a fluorine resin lining or coating on the liquid contact surface of the preparation apparatus and installed in the preparation apparatus A cleaning liquid containing one or more compounds having one or more mercapto groups per molecule from a nozzle and a total concentration of 1 wt% to 100 wt%, and one or more of tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane and chloroform A cleaning method for an optical material composition preparing apparatus, characterized by spraying a rinse liquid.